Geremi eyes long-term stay

Chelsea right-back Geremi is ready to pledge his long-term future to the club.

The Cameroon international has one more year left on his current contract but wants to stay at Stamford Bridge for as long as he can and despite admitting that the club have yet to open negotiations about a new deal but the defender would be only too happy to remain with the Blues.

Geremi, who turned 28 on Wednesday, said: "I still have one year left on my contract and I hope I will fully commit to Chelsea. They have not yet spoken to me about another one. But of course I want to stay, I am happy here."

Geremi's form has kept summer signing Khalid Boulahrouz on the bench for much of the season, but the Dutchman is likely to deputise for captain John Terry at Wigan on Saturday if the centre-back is deemed unfit.

Geremi is so confident he has all the requirements to keep the right-back berth that he is not at all fazed by speculation that Chelsea may sign another defender in the transfer window.

He added: "If Chelsea buy more players, it would be great for the team because we are involved in a lot of competitions."